A Chinese man from Guangdong province was left stunned after winning what he thought was the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max at his company's year-end party, only to discover ceramic slabs, chocolates, and lollipops inside the box once he got home.
Identified as Jiang Jiang, the employee was announced as the grand prize winner by his company's head during the event in southern China's Guangdong province. The prize was presented as an iPhone 17 Pro Max, complete with the device's listed price of 9,988 yuan (US$1,450), which the company leader publicly confirmed at the party.
Jiang, ecstatic over his apparent fortune, chose to keep the unopened box intact until he returned home, eager to surprise his wife with the new gadget. Everyone at the party, including his colleagues, believed he had genuinely won the high-end smartphone.
The prize appeared legitimate at first glance, packaged in an authentic-looking iPhone 17 Pro Max box, accompanied by a branded shopping bag, a printed invoice, and a receipt displaying the exact purchase price of 9,988 yuan.
However, Jiang's excitement turned to dismay when he finally opened the box in front of his wife. Instead of the sleek smartphone, it contained ceramic slabs described as tiles, along with chocolates and lollipops—a clear prank orchestrated by his firm.
Jiang captured the shocking reveal in a video he posted online, detailing his emotional rollercoaster from elation at the party to disbelief upon discovering the contents. The footage highlighted the deceptive packaging that fooled not only him but the entire gathering.
The incident has sparked outrage, with Jiang demanding an apology from the company for the misleading stunt that dashed his expectations and turned a celebratory moment into humiliation.
